Sources of Ancient Indian History | Vedic Literature, Foreign Accounts & Archaeology Explained

Описание: This video explains the Sources of Ancient Indian History in a simple and exam-focused manner. It covers Vedic literature, historical texts, foreign accounts, inscriptions, coins, archaeology, Purāṇas, Smritis, Buddhist & Jain texts, and all major evidences used by historians.

Topics include:
• Vedas, Brahmanas, Vedangas
• Purāṇas, Itihasa, Smriti literature
• Buddhist Jataka, Kathavastu, Jain Agamas, Kalpasutra
• Arthashastra, Rajatarangini
• Greek, Roman, Chinese & Arab accounts: Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hsuan Tsang, Al-Biruni
• Inscriptions (Epigraphy), coins (Numismatics), seals, archaeological sites
• Important inscriptions: Prayag Pillar, Hathigumpha, Junagadh, Nasik, Aihole
This video is helpful for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, Railway, NDA, CDS, CAPF, and all competitive exams.

0:00 – Introduction: Ancient India as a Historical Investigation
0:27 – How Historians Reconstruct the Past
0:46 – Three Categories of Sources (Texts, Foreign Accounts, Archaeology)
1:13 – Source 1: Literary Texts & Scriptures
1:36 – Vedas Explained (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda)
2:08 – Social Structure & Purusha Sukta
2:28 – Beyond Religion: Puranas, Arthashastra & Rajatarangini
2:59 – Other Textual Sources: Jataka, Jain Agamas, Ashtadhyayi
3:25 – Source 2: Foreign Accounts of India
3:43 – Greek to Roman Visitors: Megasthenes & Indica
4:01 – Chinese Travelers: Fa-Hien & Xuanzang
4:30 – Nalanda University as an International Learning Centre
4:45 – Source 3: Archaeological Evidence
5:05 – Epigraphy: Decoding Ancient Inscriptions
5:21 – Sati’s First Written Evidence: Eran Inscription
5:47 – Major Inscriptions: Hathigumpha, Prayag Prashasti, Bhitari
6:05 – Numismatics: What Coins Reveal About Ancient India
6:18 – Indo-Greek Coins & Roman Trade Evidence
6:32 – How Historians Cross-Verify All Three Sources
6:45 – Case Study: Gupta Empire (Literary + Inscriptions + Foreign Accounts)
7:18 – Why History Is Never Fully Complete
7:36 – The Ongoing Search for Hidden Clues